On this day April 13, 1985, We Are the World by USA for Africa became the number 1 song in America. It held the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 from April 13 through May 10 and became a massive global success, topping charts in over 15 countries including Canada, the UK, France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Ireland, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Portugal, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, and produced by Quincy Jones, the song brought together over 40 of the biggest artists in music for a powerful cause — raising money to help fight the famine in Ethiopia. The single became one of the best selling of all time and raised more than 63 million dollars for humanitarian relief.
We Are the World was more than just a song it was a cultural moment, a worldwide call to action, and a reminder of music’s power to bring people together for something bigger than themselves.
Fun fact: The song was recorded in one night after the American Music Awards, with a sign on the studio door reading “Check your ego at the door.”
Trivia question: What benefit song written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie hit number 1 in the US on April 13, 1985, and raised millions for famine relief in Ethiopia?
Written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, and produced by Quincy Jones, the song brought together over 40 of the biggest artists in music for a powerful cause — raising money to help fight the famine in Ethiopia. The single became one of the best selling of all time and raised more than 63 million dollars for humanitarian relief.
We Are the World was more than just a song it was a cultural moment, a worldwide call to action, and a reminder of music’s power to bring people together for something bigger than themselves.
Fun fact: The song was recorded in one night after the American Music Awards, with a sign on the studio door reading “Check your ego at the door.”
Trivia question: What benefit song written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie hit number 1 in the US on April 13, 1985, and raised millions for famine relief in Ethiopia?
